Cook pot stirrer

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/213,783, filed Jul. 15, 2009.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to cookware and kitchen appliances and particularly, to a cook pot stirrer integral with a lid covering a cooking pot.

2. Description of the Related Art

In the preparation of puddings, sauces, gravies, etc., the ingredients are usually placed in a sauce pan or other utensil and cooked for the required time, generally from six to ten minutes for thickening, during which period they must be constantly stirred to avoid scorching, and they must also be checked frequently to prevent boiling over. All of this is time consuming and tedious for the cook, and unless extreme care is taken, the results are unsatisfactory.

Thus, a cook pot stirrer solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cook pot stirrer is a stirring mechanism incorporated into a lid that covers a cooking vessel. The cook pot stirrer is adapted for stirring liquid content of the cook pot. The mechanism includes a battery power source connected to a motor having reduction gearing connected to a stirring tool. A speed control adjusts motor speed, thereby regulating the speed of the stirring device. A protective metal dome covers the stirring mechanism to isolate the motor and electronics from the contents of the pot. The protective metal dome is removable for maintenance and battery replacement. Stirring tools of various lengths, heights and surface areas may be provided as attachments to the cook pot stirrer.

These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is an environmental, perspective view of a cook pot stirrer according to the present invention.

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a bottom perspective view of a cook pot stirrer according to the present invention.

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is an electrical schematic diagram of a first embodiment of a circuit for a cook pot stirrer according to the present invention.

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is an electrical schematic diagram of a second embodiment of a circuit for a cook pot stirrer according to the present invention.

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> shows the circuit of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> modified <b>401</b> with the addition of a fuse <b>410</b>, DPDT switch <b>430</b> and battery charger BC for the cook pot stirrer according to the present invention.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1-3</figref>, the cook pot stirrer <b>10</b> has a stirring mechanism attached to a base <b>32</b> that covers a cooking pot. The base <b>32</b> is circular and has a radially extending flange <b>33</b> that stabilizes the stirrer <b>10</b> when placed on top of a cooking pot. Moreover, the protective metal base <b>32</b> covers the stirring mechanism to isolate the motor and electronics from the contents of the pot. A substantially dome shaped housing <b>12</b> having a flat planar circular top removably attaches to the base <b>32</b> and also provides protection to the stirring mechanism by preventing the introduction of cooking fluids, and the like, into the unit <b>10</b>. The housing <b>12</b> is removable for maintenance and battery replacement of the unit <b>10</b>.

A combination power switch <b>13</b><i>a </i>and potentiometer <b>13</b><i>b </i>attaches to and extends upward from the top of domed housing <b>12</b> for easy access to the user. The potentiometer <b>13</b><i>b </i>provides speed adjustment of the stirrer <b>10</b>.

Two nine-volt batteries <b>26</b> are electrically connected to a motor <b>14</b> via power switch <b>13</b><i>a </i>and potentiometer <b>13</b><i>b</i>. A circuit board <b>24</b> mounted on the base <b>32</b> facilitates the electrical connection of motor <b>14</b>, controls <b>13</b><i>a</i>, <b>13</b><i>b</i>, and power source <b>26</b>. <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> most clearly shows the electrical connection of batteries <b>26</b> to switch <b>13</b><i>a</i>, potentiometer <b>13</b><i>b </i>and motor <b>14</b>. The batteries <b>26</b> are held in place via battery attachment bracket <b>28</b>, which is connected to and extends from the base <b>32</b>. <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> shows an alternative circuit <b>400</b> that utilizes a transistor T. <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> shows cook pot stirrer energizing circuitry <b>401</b> having the addition of a fuse <b>419</b>, a double pole-double throw (DPDT) switch <b>430</b>, and battery charger BC for the cook pot stirrer <b>10</b>. The switch <b>430</b> switches batteries <b>26</b> between the cook pot stirrer motor energizing circuitry <b>401</b> and a battery charger BC.

As shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, motor <b>14</b> is attached to motor mounting plate <b>16</b>. The motor mounting plate <b>16</b> is attached to the base <b>32</b> atop bushings <b>18</b> and held in place by threaded bolts <b>20</b> and nuts <b>22</b>. The motor <b>14</b> has a pinion gear <b>42</b> in contact alignment with reduction drive gear <b>30</b>, which is rotatably mounted on the base <b>32</b> through center bearing <b>40</b> and attached to drive shaft <b>34</b> which extends below the base <b>32</b>. As most clearly shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, a substantially cylindrical, hollow tool adapter <b>35</b> is connected to and extends from drive shaft <b>34</b>. The tool adapter <b>35</b> accepts a variety of stirring utensils such as e.g., beating utensil <b>38</b>. All such utensils have a spring connector <b>36</b> that inserts into the tool adapter <b>35</b>. The spring connector <b>36</b> allows for resilient and or gyrating stirring action when the unit <b>10</b> is in operation.

It is contemplated that the stirring tools may be of a variety of lengths, heights and surface areas to address most cook pot stirring needs.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.